Exam 1 Flashcards
Theory
Explanation based on observations
Hypothesis
Prediction based on theory
Research
Test of the hypothesis, yields data that either supports or refutes
Aspects of a good theory
-falsifiable
-motivates new hypotheses
-parsimonious
Replication
Repetition of a research study to confirm the results
Reasons a study may fail to replicate
-benign: differences in study design across replications
-less benign: original study was a false positive
-even less benign: results of the original study were doctored to support the original hypothesis
Independent variable
Researcher actively manipulates one or more variables
Dependent variable
Measures how the variables affect the participants’ responses
Independent-groups (between-subject) design
-Each subject participates in only one condition of the IV
-Random assignment
Dependent-groups (within-subject) design
-Every subject participates in all conditions of the IV
-Counterbalancing: Order of conditions is varied across subjects
Descriptive Research
-Researcher measures variables but does not actively manipulate
them
-Results describe characteristics of variables and relationships
between variables
-Does not provide conclusions about cause
Types of descriptive research
-Case studies
-Observational studies
-Surveys
-Correlation studies
Correlation
A measure of the relationship between two variables
Correlation coefficient
A mathematical estimate of the strength of this relationship
Scatter plot
A convenient way to show correlation graphically
Correlation does not
Establish causation
Quantitative Research
Relies primarily on numerical data and statistical analysis to describe
and understand human behavior
Qualitative Research
-Seeks to achieve thematic description and understanding of behavior,
primarily through nonstatistical analysis of data
-May examine data without the use of statistics
Mixed-methods research
Leverages a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods
Laboratory research
-Lab setting affords most control over experimental factors
-The effects of the IV can be isolated
-High internal validity – We can be confident in the results of the study
Field research
-Research is conducted in a more realistic setting
-High external validity – The results likely apply to a broader context
Population
The group that a researcher
is interested in examining defined by specific characteristics such as residency, occupation, gender or age
Convenience Sample
Chosen for ease
of study (e.g., undergraduate studies,
polling in a single city or county). Results probably do not generalize to the population
Representative sample
Resembles the population (e.g., percent male/female,
percent young/old, demographics)
Random sample
Every member of the
population has an equal chance of being drawn (more well-suited to represent the population)
Random sampling
Uses random selection (all members of a particular population or subpopulation have an equal chance of being selected)
Random sampling with replacement:
A selected member is returned to the pool and may be selected again.
Random sampling without replacement:
Once selected, a member is removed from the pool
and cannot be selected again
Stratified random sampling:
Sampling key subpopulations based on
specific characteristics in the same proportion as in the population